Adaptive Audible Feedback Cues for a Vehicle User Interface

Abstract

A system and a method are provided for adapting a vehicle user interface to generate audible feedback cues when the user interacts with the vehicle interface via touch-sensitive soft buttons and the vehicle speed exceeds a preset speed. When the vehicle speed does not exceed the preset speed, either no audible feedback cues are provided to the user during interaction via the touch-sensitive soft buttons, or the volume level of the audible feedback cues is less than that used when the vehicle speed exceeds the preset speed. The system and method may further utilize a sensor for monitoring the sound level with the vehicle cabin. The sound level of the vehicle cabin may be used to set the volume level of the audible feedback cue, thus insuring for example that the feedback cues may be heard over cabin noise.

1 . A method of operating a vehicle interface, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a touch-screen display interface within a vehicle;   monitoring vehicle speed, wherein said vehicle speed monitoring step is performed by an on-board system controller;   determining when said vehicle speed exceeds a preset speed;   displaying at least one vehicle subsystem interface on said touch-screen display interface, wherein said at least one vehicle subsystem interface corresponds to a particular vehicle subsystem, wherein said at least one vehicle subsystem interface is comprised of displayed information corresponding to said particular vehicle subsystem, and wherein said at least one vehicle subsystem interface is comprised of at least one touch-sensitive soft button corresponding to a controllable function associated with said particular vehicle subsystem;   accepting a user touch input via said at least one touch-sensitive soft button on said touch-screen display interface, wherein said user touch input affects said controllable function associated with said particular vehicle subsystem; and   emitting an audible feedback cue of a first volume level when said user touch input is accepted via said at least one touch-sensitive soft button if said vehicle speed exceeds said preset speed.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of emitting no audible feedback cue when said user touch input is accepted via said at least one touch-sensitive soft button if said vehicle speed is less than said preset speed. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of emitting an audible feedback cue of a second volume level when said user touch input is accepted via said at least one touch-sensitive soft button if said vehicle speed is less than said preset speed, wherein said second volume level is less than said first volume level. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said audible feedback cue of said first volume level is comprised of a tone or click. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said preset speed is 0 miles per hour (MPH). 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said steps of monitoring vehicle speed and determining when said vehicle speed exceeds said preset speed further comprises the step of determining if said vehicle is in park or in a gear, wherein if said vehicle is in park, said vehicle speed does not exceed said preset speed. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said steps of monitoring vehicle speed and determining when said vehicle speed exceeds said preset speed further comprises the steps of monitoring one of motor rotation, wheel rotation or axle rotation and converting said one of motor rotation, wheel rotation or axle rotation to said vehicle speed. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of setting said preset speed to a value of at least 5 miles per hour (MPH). 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 monitoring sound levels within a vehicle cabin corresponding to said vehicle; and   setting said first volume level based on said sound level within said vehicle cabin.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said first volume level exceeds said sound level within said vehicle cabin. 
     
     
         11 . A vehicle user interface system, comprising:
 a touch-screen interface display mounted within a vehicle passenger compartment of a vehicle, said touch-screen interface display configured to display at least one vehicle subsystem interface, wherein said at least one vehicle subsystem interface corresponds to a particular vehicle subsystem, wherein said at least one vehicle subsystem interface is comprised of displayed information corresponding to said particular vehicle subsystem, and wherein said at least one vehicle subsystem interface is comprised of at least one touch-sensitive soft button corresponding to a controllable function associated with said particular vehicle subsystem;   a vehicle speed monitor, said vehicle speed monitor outputting a first signal when a vehicle speed corresponding to said vehicle is less than a preset speed and outputting a second signal when said vehicle speed is greater than said preset speed;   an audio system; and   a system controller coupled to said vehicle speed monitor, said audio system and to said touch-screen interface display, said system controller configured to generate a sound at a first volume level through said audio system whenever a touch registers on said at least one touch-sensitive soft button and said vehicle speed is greater than said preset speed.   
     
     
         12 . The vehicle user interface system of  claim 11 , wherein said system controller is further configured to generate no sounds through said audio system whenever a touch registers on said at least one touch-sensitive soft button and said vehicle speed is less than said preset speed. 
     
     
         13 . The vehicle user interface system of  claim 11 , wherein said system controller is further configured to generate said sound at a second volume level through said audio system whenever a touch registers on said at least one touch-sensitive soft button and said vehicle speed is less than said preset speed, wherein said second sound level is less than said first sound level. 
     
     
         14 . The vehicle user interface system of  claim 11 , wherein said vehicle speed monitor further comprises a transmission/gear sensor. 
     
     
         15 . The vehicle user interface system of  claim 11 , wherein said vehicle speed monitor further comprises a wheel rotation sensor. 
     
     
         16 . The vehicle user interface system of  claim 11 , wherein said vehicle speed monitor further comprises a motor rotation sensor. 
     
     
         17 . The vehicle user interface system of  claim 11 , further comprising a vehicle cabin sound level monitor, wherein said system controller is configured to set said first volume level in response to a cabin sound level determined by said vehicle cabin sound level monitor. 
     
     
         18 . The vehicle user interface system of  claim 11 , further comprising a vehicle cabin sound level monitor, wherein said system controller is configured to set said first volume level in excess of a cabin sound level determined by said vehicle cabin sound level monitor.